The 2nd game of pool play saw the Panthers take on the Western Howard County Fever. The bats were booming in this game, as the Panthers pounded out 15 hits while scoring 14 runs. Hitting stars included Katie M. who had 3 hits, as well as Lindsay, Brittany, Megan K. and Kelly who contributed with 2 hits each. Jelly was the beneficiary of this hitting barrage, as she and Megan K. held the Fever to 4 runs while combining to strikeout 6 and walk only 2. After the 1st game snooze, the Panthers were wide eyed for the Fever. Final score 14-4.
With a 1-1 record in pool play, the Cats somehow ended up as the 3rd seed.� And once again found themselves looking to reduce the Fever. The Fever started their ace in this game and took an early 3-0 lead. But the Panthers battled back scoring 5 runs in the 3rd only to see the Fever score 2 in the 5th. With the scored tied 5-5, the International Tie Breaker was put into effect. With a runner on 2nd, the Fever moved the runner to 3rd without making an out. What looked like a big inning, turned out to be a 1 run inning thanks to not one but two outstanding plays in left field by Katie S. holding the runner at 3rd on both occasions. �Finally a defensive play was made to put out a fire instead of throwing gas on it. Trailing by 1 run going into their last at bats, the cats once again showed that they truly do have 9 lives. With 1 out, and Hilary at 2nd because of the International Tie Breaker rule, an error by the Fever shortstop allowed Megan K. to reach 1st base safely putting cats at 1st and 3rd.� After a steal of second by Megan K. the cats had runner at 2nd and 3rd with two outs. On a wild play to end the game the Fever pitcher then uncorked a wild pitch that saw Hilary score from 3rd and Megan K. from 2nd as the catchers throw to the pitcher trying to get Hilary at the plate trickled out to the pitchers mound allowing Megan K. to score the winning run from 3rd base. The Final score Panthers 7 -- Fever 6.
Opening up Sunday in the losers bracket saw the Panthers take on the Gray Charles Stingers. It was an early game again, but this time it was the Stingers who got stung. The Cats were very aggressive on the bases and took advantage of the wildness from the Stinger pitcher.� While only getting 4 hits in the game, the Cats capitalized on 5 walks and numerous errors. Jelly gave up only 1 earned run, while recording 6 strikeouts. Panthers cruised to an 8-3 victory.
Once again the Cats had to play the Fever, but this time the Panthers left no doubt about who was the better team. The Panthers hit parade pounded out 13 hits in a 10-5 route. Led by Megan U's 3 hits, and 2 hits each by Gabby, Lindsay (3 rbi) and Kelly (3 rbi). Ali went a strong 5 innings, allowing only 1 earned run, and striking out 4.� This game wasn't as close as the final score indicated as the Cats jumped out to a commanding 7-2 lead.
Game 3 on Sunday, saw the Cats take on the team that put them into the losers bracket Frostburg Mt. Thunder. The ladies saw to it that the Thunder was no more than a rain cloud as they put up 6 runs in the 1st inning on 5 hits. Megan U. continued with her hot bat as she and Brittany boomed doubles in the 1st. Six different Panthers had hits in the game while Jelly pitched her best game of the season limiting the Thunder to 1 unearned run on only 3 hits, striking out 6 while walking 0. Panthers cruise to a 9-1 win. This win put the Panthers in the championship game against the LT Lazers.
The Panthers were looking to even the score against the LT Lazers in the Championship game but the Lazers once again proved to be too much for the Cats, as they scored 7 runs in the 1st inning and cruised to a 9-4 win. The score would have been much different had a few controversial calls not gone against the Cats.� But either way the Cats 2nd Place finish shows that when they put their minds to it they can hang with anyone.�
Next up for the Panthers is the Winfield Classic in Westminster July 9th - 11th.
